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Providing Support Where It's most needed
Dewis Choice aims to transform responses to abuse in later life—ensuring dignity, rights, and safety for all"
Elize Freeman - Deputy Director
Our Team
The people behind making the positive change that we, at Dewis Choice, strive for.
Rebecca Zerk
Director for CAGS
Co-Lead for Dewis Choice Initiative
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Tom Chapman
Choice Wellbeing Practitioner
Joshua Roberts
Research Assistant
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Mission Goals
Justice & Human Rights
Upholding the rights of older victim-survivors, regardless of gender or sexuality, to access justice and make informed choices about their lives.
Empowerment & Choice
Providing support, knowledge, and options to enable victim-survivors to regain independence.
Inclusivity, Equity & Intersectional
Ensuring all voices are heard and treating every individual with dignity and respect.
Innovation & Excellence
Using cutting-edge research and evidence-based solutions to challenge systemic failures and practice responses.
Community & Collaboration
Partnering with community members, practitioners, policymakers, funders, and victim-survivors to create real change.
Bilingual & Culturally Responsive
Committed to Welsh and English accessibility, ensuring services meet local and national needs.
Our Story
Dewis Choice is a unique, co-produced initiative created by older people, for older people. Since launching in 2015, we have brought together communities, researchers, volunteers and survivors to tackle one of society’s most hidden issues: domestic abuse affecting people in later life.
At the heart of Dewis Choice is a rights-based, survivor-led approach. We prioritise lived experience and co-production at every step. Older people don’t just participate – they shape and steer our work, ensuring our services are meaningful, effective, and truly responsive. From service delivery to national policy, their voices drive change.
We work closely with diverse communities and partner organisations across Wales and beyond. By listening, learning, and acting together, we are transforming understanding and support for older victim-survivors of domestic abuse, including those affected by complex issues such as dementia, disability, or sexual orientation.
Recognised nationally and internationally, Dewis Choice was ranked as 4* ‘world leading’ for impact in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) and shortlisted for the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for excellence, innovation and public benefit. Our training and service model has been highlighted by Public Health Wales to the World Health Organisation as best practice, and we’ve been named a Case Exemplar by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and featured at a Civic Mission Showcase by Universities Wales in 2021.
Our
Mission Statement
"Dewis Choice empowers older people affected by domestic abuse to make informed choices, access justice, and gain independence. Through innovative research, policy change, collaborative partnerships, and community-driven service provision, Dewis Choice aims to transform responses to abuse in later life, ensuring dignity, rights, and safety for all."
